Christmas Time Is Here!

Well, I think we're all ready for Christmas... We've shopped, decorated our tree, made cookies and visited Santa! All we need now is some snow! The kids are ready to go sledding =)

Once again this year we had our friend's Brandon & Morgan over for a day of cookie making fun! This is what happens after making & frosting 265 cut-out cookies:

(can you say sugar coma??)

Dominic has gotten to do lots of fun things in Kindergarten. They made gingerbread houses, got to sing in his Christmas program and even had a Polar Express Day (everyone got to wear their jammies...though it was a little too far out of Dominic's comfort zone, so he chose to wear his jeans instead). He is loving that he has a 2-week break from school & is enjoying every moment of it playing with Gino....who is also excited to have him home.

Dominic lost yet another tooth...... and it wasn't easy =) It was his other front bottom one, so as you can imagine eating was a challenge. He wanted that tooth OUT! We tried everything one morning...but it wasn't coming out. Finally, he got it out himself at 6 am in the morning, wrapped it in a kleenex & put it under his bed till it was time to wake up & show me. I'm glad that's over....only many many more to go.

We went to the Outlet mall & got to ride the train to see Santa again this year. The boys had a good time....though I couldn't get Gino anywhere near Santa, Dominic didn't have a problem telling him everything he wanted.

As many of you may know already, my Grandpa Kamp passed away this month. I will never forget the smell of his pipe or helping him on the farm as a kid. As I told Dominic he went to spend Christmas with Jesus this year.

We want to wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!

Love,

the Guidetti's

HAPPY FALL EVERYONE!

So, this has got to be my favorite time of year! With the sunshine, cooler weather, the leaves changing color & blowing and falling from the trees! It's just a beautiful season!

We've gotten out and enjoyed it all, from apple picking, hayrides, picking out pumpkins & bonfires.

Dominic & Gino were happy to have their Papa K back home from Wyoming to go apple picking with us.

I've decided that Gino is such a camera hog =) He's always wanting me to take his picture. And of course I do.

We had lots of fun playing in the leaves at my friend Rose's house. We had a huge pile for them. Dominic & Gino loved throwing leaves at each other.

Dominic has been on two field trips with his class. He got to go to Bauman Orchard and to Tegtmeier's pumpkin patch.

He has some good buddies in his class and every time I take a picture it's the same three =)

Dominic got his first loose tooth! He didn't like it so much, but he better get used to it, he's got a lot more teeth in there. It came out at school while he was eating fruit snacks. His teacher saved it for me so we put it under his pillow that night. He was hoping the toy fairy would come instead of the tooth fairy. But only tooth fairies here! It left him a $1.00. I think that's pretty good.

Dominic stayed home from school for two days this last week with a slight fever and cough. I'm hoping we can all avoid the worst of it. He's enjoying kindergarten, but we still have a rough time some mornings. He likes for me to walk him into his class everyday and wait while he puts his lunch choice up & gets out his things. He wishes he only had to go on gym day because that's his favorite (thanks to his Uncle Mark, who is also known as Coach Albert's). It's been so much fun watching him already learning to read! He can sound out words now and his writing is getting better. Our first parent-teacher meeting went real well. He's in the top of his class & she say's he's doing great =) Always good to hear.

The kids have enjoyed watching the big combine take down all the corn that was surrounding our house. So if you drive by now you can again see our house. It's been nice being so secluded though. We're starting to see the deer again too which is always fun.

I must admit I loved watching the combine too. I always enjoyed corn-picking time as a kid, one of my favorite memories. Maybe that's partly why I love fall so much.

Sorry about all the pictures. I didn't realize it'd been so long since I updated this blog! We've been busy though. I'm still working 3 - 4 nights a week at the restaurant. Andy has been working steady hours & dealing with some back pain.

Now we are just preparing ourselves for the quickly upcoming holiday season =)

Busy Month

HAPPY 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO US! WE ARE VERY BLESSED TO BE WHERE WE ARE AT THIS STAGE IN OUR LIVES WITH TWO ADORABLE

CHILDREN, OUR HOME AND OUR FAMILY

We have had a very busy month with Andy & I celebrating our 10-yr wedding anniversary, me working evenings, and Dominic starting Kindergarten.

We snuck away for a weekend in Columbus near Easton with some of our best friends, Brandon & Morgan. We had a GREAT time shopping and eating a really delicious dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. The boys had just as much fun with Momo & Papa K.

Dominic had a great introduction to Kindergarten... starting with an open-house (where he got to take a bus ride) and 3 days of school that he went with other Kindergartners for only 2 hours. They got to play on the playground and familiarize themselves with the school. He did great at everything! It helped having his best friend, Gunner, from pre-school. They buddied up again right away.

His teacher, Mrs. Knight is just wonderful! On the first day he was up at 7 and dressed and ready to go. I drove him and walked him into his class (him & Gino both had their backpacks). He wasn't even too shy. Hung up his bag & went & found his seat. I waited a couple minutes till Gunner got there, than I left (I only cried a little, not as much as I thought I would).

I came back at lunch to help and he could have cared less. He decided he wanted to buy lunch, rather than eat what I had packed, which was fine (Aunt Rita prepares yummy food). He even infomed me that he wanted to ride the bus home instead of me picking him up. Which was fine.

He did decide it was too long to ride (1/2 - 45 minutes) and too hot. He said he'd rather I pick him up instead. Maybe we'll try again when the weather cools off some more. He knows a lot of the kids on his bus.

He came home on Tuesday and told me he had so much fun he forgot what he learned. He enjoyed gym class with his Uncle Mark as his teacher. The only adjustment there is rembering to call him Coach Albert's or Coach A though. But he said he'd remember.

(This is Gino waiting with me for the bus to come down the road ...playing with my phone... like mother like son).

Unfortunately the "happy" days of school didn't last long. We've had a rough first full week of school. Started Monday with a call from the school asking if I could come in & have lunch with Dominic because he was having a rough day....which of course I did (couldn't get there fast enough actually). He was fine. The rest of the week was spent crying from the time he got up till I left him in the classroom. He would snuggle with me on the couch in the morning and tell me how much he misses me at school and what a long day it is. I sent a picture of him & Gino with him on Wednesday and that seemed to help some. I've also been bribing him with new surprise items at the end of the day if he can try to be brave and not cry. Plus he's had family in the school to help out, thanks to his Uncle Mark and Aunt Norma and my Aunt Rita. Thanks SO much everyone =)

He also had issues with a bully on the playground ...but I think we've got that handled now.

Today (Friday) he finally went to school smiling (sad when he got up, but we he changed his tune pretty quickly). I was very relieved. I think it helps that he knows it's Friday & he's got 3 days off with the holiday on Monday.

Besides trying to get Dominic settled into this new routine ....Gino and I have really been enjoying our time together =) I forgot how much easier it was to run around town with only one child. He's so much fun too! Always making me smile.

Dominic is already learning how to read... it's so exciting watching him. On his "red" day he came home looking like Clifford.

Of course Gino had to get in on the fun too....

Well, we will continue to adjust. This is a new life-style for us all. Just trying to make sure I help him with everything he needs to do & pack his snack &/or lunch everyday.... plus working. Many nights Andy & I just pass as I leave & he gets home. The boys love their time with daddy though.

Happy 3rd Birthday Gino!!! (& happy 29+2 Birthday to me!)

Well, another year has come for my baby. We celebrated his 3rd Birthday

on July 20!

Happy Birthday Gino Beano we love you!!!

From his purple cake (thank you Aunt Janet) to his purple car to his purple guitar! We had a very Mickey Mouse/Purple Birthday! It's what he wanted...

So, did he keep to his word and start using the potty on his summerday???? NO. I will just have to keep trying. He is a very stubborn child, we have no idea who he gets that from =)

After his Birthday he said he'd do it on MY summerday ...but still no luck. He continues to pee in the potty when he feels like it, but that's it. I keep hoping that he'll be potty trained before he goes to Kindergarten!

He also got a CARS helmet & elbow pads that he loves wearing.

Dominic likes wearing his black Transformer one too.

Adjusting to life without Copper hasn't been easy for us either. We had pizza the other night & Gino got up with his crusts & threw them in the garage, even though I told him Copper wasn't there anymore. We were sad, but than thought it a little funny that our kids are trained to throw all their left-overs in the garage. Dominic said "now I'll have to eat my crust". It's just not the same outside without him.... we would like to get another male chocolate lab puppy if anyone knows of any let us know.

I also had my Birthday (sorry no cute pictures of me) Didn't do anything big but it was nice having Andy home all day. He's been working 2nd shift, so my mom made me dinner.... it was very nice. She also got me a yummy banana cream pie from Lynway (mmmm good). Plus Gino sang me Happy Birthday... it was very cute.

Thank you to EVERYONE who sent Birthday wishes my way!!!

We plan on going out of town for a quick weekend getaway for our 10-yr anniversary coming up in a couple weeks. That will be nice. We haven't been away from the kids in a quite a while. Good luck Momo!

My friend Morgan & I took the kids to Kingwood Center in Mansfield the other day for a photo shoot! They did really well. I will getting some pictures developed soon & send them out. I decided it would be cheaper to take my own pictures. The garden's were beautiful! Here's just a couple that I took.

I've just started working again, so if anyone is hungry for Italian food come visit me at Toscana Italian Grill on Cleveland Rd. I'll be working a couple nights a week & on the weekends. It's the same people I worked for who opened When In Rome... same yummy food with a couple new things on the menu.

Copper 5/13/02 - 7/4/09

It is with much sadness that I am writing this to inform everyone that our dog, Copper, was hit & killed on the road this 4th of July. His invisible fence collar had broken & we were in the process of ordering him a new one when he just decided to run off & enjoy the countryside. Probably off chasing groundhogs or anything else that moved. He had just turned 7 not long ago but still acted very much like a puppy full of energy. His favorite thing to do was play on our trampoline or get sprayed by water from the hose. Dominic spent many a summer day spraying him with water & laughing. He also loved playing in the leaves & the snow with the kids. We couldn't have asked for a better dog. He was always very protective of the boys, even while I was pregnant.

We will miss him SO very much ....he was a very good dog. He was our "baby" before Dominic. Andy is feeling the loss most of all I believe, because it was his dog more than any of ours.

Luckily I took TONS of pictures of him so he will never be forgotten........

Thank you for all the kind words we have already received.

Happy 6th Birthday Dominic

Well, my little boy turned

6 on June 17th. So hard

to believe. From his

first Birthday to his 6th......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOMINIC!

We love you SO very much!

He had a Batman Birthday this year. He picks a new theme every year. Thanks to his creative Aunt Janet he had a really cool Batman cake & cookies. Gino loved the cookies best I think..... he couldn't wait to taste them.

Luckily he didn't have to wait long

Dominic got lots of Batman things & a new Nerf Dart Game. As you can see he was having a pretty good time. Most of the family got to be there this year too which is unusual. Uncle Tom & Aunt Alisha were visiting from CA & so was his Aunt Lori & cousins CJ & Anna from NC.

The boys have enjoyed the corn growing ALL around our house. It's quite taller now, I'll have to take another picture. I can remember playing in the cornfields around my house growing up as a child... what fun living in the country is!

Both my mom & Andy's mom had their knee surgeries.... same day same doctor. And both are healing well. The grandkids all enjoy their canes & walkers!

We've been getting in some good 'ol fashioned pool time lately. The weather has been perfect for basking in the sun! Dominic jumped right in w/his arm floaties on. Took a little convincing & dunking to get Gino in, but once we did look out! There's no keeping him out now.

Dominic finished off his first T-Ball season w/a trophy & ice cream! I think he enjoyed it for the most part. He says he doesn't want to play again, but he may change his mind. We're not pushing it. He can choose to try whatever he wants. Lets just get through Kindergarten first.

We did get Dominic's class list for next year. He will have Mrs. Knight as his teacher (she was also Andy's 3r grade teacher). I am VERY happy about that. AND we found out that his best friend, Gunner, from pre-school will also be in his class! He was VERY happy to hear that! (I was too). It helped ease my mind to know that he wouldn't be alone in a huge class without anyone he knew. There's also a little girl from his pre-school class that he liked.

Now time to prepare for Gino turning 3 .....oh my! Let's just hope he keeps to his word & decides to finally potty train on his "summerday". He keeps telling me he's gonna stop wearing diapers & be a big boy.

T-BALL

Dominic has had 3 T-ball games so far (one was rained out). He's really enjoying it. We found him a bat light enough to swing & he's actually hit a couple pitches! Usually he's just out dancing in the outfield or goofing off with his friends! But that's what you're supposed to do in T-ball right? :] One of his friends (& neighbors) is on his team so he was happy about that. I love watching him in his little uniform!

Gino just enjoys eating his way through Dominic's games. He loves going to

the concession stand... he now knows that a quarter will get him 3 lollipops :] And they b

oth (ok, Andy too) need to have an ice-crea

m cone after each game too!

Dominic & Gino recently went fishing & had lots of fun! Dominic even bates his hook & takes the fish off when he catches it! Gino just touches them.

Every week we try to get together with my friend Sunshine & her little girl Addison. Lately it's been nice so we've been going to the park. The kids have so much fun together. I can't even tell you how much I LOVE watching our kids play together....we were inseparable all through High School so it's great to have kids close in age (Addison is only 3 months younger than Gino).

Our latest garage sale find was a Hot Wheels Jeep. The boys LOVE it! The battery doesn't last real long since our yard isn't exactly flat ....and Dominic manages to find every little hill possible to go up & down (when there's not mud close by). We now have a 4-wheeler & the jeep so they can race.... both very good deals we couldn't pass up :]

We are celebrating Dominic's 6th Birthday this coming Sunday.... since b

oth Momo & Emma are having knee surgeries on his actual Birthday (Wednesday the 17). He's excited about having a Batman party! Will post pics next week!!

Gino has been doing really well peeing on the potty lately..... but that's all he'll do. He keeps saying he'll do more on his "Summerday" (translation for Gino speak: Birthday). I plan on making him stick to that! We might get him potty-trained after all!!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed! His favorite place to pee outside is on daddy's truck tires though! :]

The kids discovered that their are 5 kittens down at the barn, so we spend a lot of time down there. Dominic has already named them all. He's got one little black one that just loves him...it's the friendliest out of the bunch, but we're working on it. And no, we will not be bringing one home, Copper doesn't need any kitty treats. There are 3 yellow ones & two black ones.

We are looking forward to warmer weather soon because Emma's pool is open now. Dominic was in it last Sunday but it was FREEZING! He did get in with only his arm floaties so I was very proud of him.... Gino, on the otherhand, I'm not sure how he's gonna be this year. Last year we couldn't keep him out!